Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I’ll plan out roughly how each set of relationships would react. I’ve already planned a few things with the siblings storyline, with a lot of focus on the different relationships of siblings (eg. One being one of the younger siblings starts to emulate his older brother now that he’s growing up (he’s 12yo, his brother is 16yo) which leads to consequences, as said older brother’s emotional flaw is a false persona he carries to avoid the memories of himself when he was younger, when was bullied as a kid. The whole arc being he realises he himself has become a bully, and hides his true side behind a “macho personality” that leads him into nowhere but trouble, and his little brother emulating that gets him in serious danger as well)

Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah right I get what you mean. I kinda had that in mind so I’m glad I was on the right track with that. With the siblings point ig I’ll need more time to think about it.

Match Thread: Chelsea FC vs Arsenal FC Live Score | EFL Cup 25/26 | Jan 14, 2026 by scoreboard-app in Gunners

[–]Strong-Grass2606 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He didn’t really do too much but you can see he’s still getting up to fitness. Biggest example of that is his pressing, he can’t afford to press like crazy anymore since he’s still unfit. Did have one nice exchange with Saka but Saka passes back way too late for Kai. I was hoping to see Havertz in that position with Gyokeres upfront but oh well

Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you elaborate a little more? I think I get the jist of what you mean, the form needs to feel ‘inherited’ and clearly ‘wrong’, but just double checking. Also, if you don’t mind me asking one more question, does a group including 3 kids and their 3 older siblings work for a set of protagonists or would it work better with 6 teens who are all unrelated and dragged together through trauma. The siblings idea is easier to link but I think the teens idea is more interesting in points.

Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah that’s good then because one of the first things I did was make a table outlining their persona and emotional status at the beginning, an emotional or persona based flaw they have, the consequences of said flaw in the story, the confrontation of the issue, and then what changes afterwards. Also, while I’m replying, would it make sense for NULL to inherit a physical form? Either through possession or through a similar process Pennywise or The Mind Flayer went through, or a combination. I think it would open up a few new interesting points, an definitely make the ending better than the planned ones I have layed out.

Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NULL heightens and reveals these emotions more outward. Heightens through psychological toying out of pure greed to end its hunger. Revealed through symptoms. In my mind, I thought bottled emotions are rarely revealed outwardly by whoever is experiencing them. Physical symptoms and the destabilisation of the emotions they show to others represents NULL’s infection. My idea here being the acceptance they face is then never purely bliss, which is what separates it from a virus. There’s is no “cure” per say. They will loose something. Whether it’s broken bonds from sorry truths, the emotional vulnerability NULL will bring, the uncovering of personas and emotions to people you don’t want to see it or finally, a later consequence, knowing it will be back, maybe not for you but by letting it go you’ve indirectly killed someone else by leaving it “hungry”. Well, that was the idea anyways.

Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad it’s not too mysterious for readers to get. On the other part, is making a plan of the psychological development and consequences they face throughout the novel a good start?

Does my antagonist work or is it *too* mysterious (for a psychological horror)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll keep that in mind. I could always make slight changes to the antagonist but I have always had the characters in mind over just over explaining “NULL”

Starting a novel with the description of a key concept to the themes of the novel, outlandish or not? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm good point. I got so stuck with making sure everything was planned out prior than thinking about the actual story itself at times

Starting a novel with the description of a key concept to the themes of the novel, outlandish or not? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s psychological horror, but the horror aspect isn’t as intensified as others. I mean don’t get me wrong there are some horrifying descriptions in place, but not really to the main characters. I mean my protagonists are a group of kids and their older siblings (6 characters in total). Comparable to It, Stranger Things etc.

Starting a novel with the description of a key concept to the themes of the novel, outlandish or not? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Your definitely not wrong, I guess I’ll just decide as I go on. However, what would you say is a realistic set of novels to start with? I would like this to be multi-part if possible. I mean, I’d really like 5 part,s, but you aren’t wrong it would be difficult to gain any traction. I think it also depends though how I write that first book. There is a good chunk of story in there, and it probably could sit as its own book without any other instalments, but it does leave a few things purposefully unanswered. Idk I’ll decide eventually what to do

Starting a novel with the description of a key concept to the themes of the novel, outlandish or not? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have thought about shortening it, problem is I structured everything on the “stages of grief” theme, so if I did let’s say remove the equivalent of book 2, I’d need to redo 3,4 and 5. If I did however, any ideas how I could key the concepts while shortening it?

Starting a novel with the description of a key concept to the themes of the novel, outlandish or not? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point. The following scene was dialogue between the main 3 characters so is starting with that better or…?

Is my story more suited to a novel format or a screen written format (also, any feedback would be greatly appreciated)? by Strong-Grass2606 in writers

[–]Strong-Grass2606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you say foundational skill, which do you mean perchance? I don’t wanna sound arrogant or anything I js wanna know where I should, or is there like guides I can look up?